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Odcha – 1971 (Camp Kol-Ree-Nah)
I believe that Rav Hertzel Schechter, zt’l personified this vital lesson. He taught us all through his songs that nothing is “owed,” but rather, everything is “עוד.”
Vezakeini (Avraham Fried)
Outside, darkness is setting in and the workweek is coming to a close – a week of activity, a week of growth… a tiring week. But as the sun goes down, a new day is being ushered in – the day for which we toiled the entire week, a day of rest and serenity – Shabbos Kodesh has arrived.
V’omar – 1974 (Toronto Pirchei)
At the time of the geulah, the level of revelation will be such that we will be able to identify Hashem as the Source of our salvation with absolute and perfect clarity. We will revel and rejoice in this knowledge, knowing that it was in Him that we relied upon all along, despite our many hardships.
🕯 R’ Ben Zion Shenker z’l (1925-2016) – 19th of Cheshvan
Many assume Shenker’s compositions are traditional; as in older-than-Moshe-Rabbeinu, pre-date-chicken-soup, or at the very least, are from some prehistoric era. That kind of traditional.
Kochvei Hashomayim (Abie Rotenberg & Rivie Schwebel)
In these words, we are being told that when we follow the Torah and perform the mitzvos with love, then the sky’s the limit, and that truly, no enemy can touch us. Now that is something to sing about.
🕯 R’ Shlomo Carlebach z’l (1925-1994) – 16th of Cheshvan
Even beyond his brilliance as a musician, Reb Shlomo was a charismatic teacher who traveled the world offering inspirational insights that were filled with a love for all human beings. He discovered the good in every person, found holiness in the outcasts, treasures in the beggars, and righteousness in the rebels.
Yiten Lecha (Shmueli Ungar)
Before we start another worrisome week; before the full weight of the world falls back upon our shoulders, we are reminded of this promise and reinvigorated by the special blessing that belongs to us all, the descendants of Avraham Avinu. It is the promise that no matter what we are about to face, we will survive and thrive – not just that, but we will become great!
🕯 Rochel Imeinu (1514-1552 BCE) – 11th of Cheshvan
Suddenly, amidst all the noise, a wail pierced through the heavens. Mamma Rochel, hearing her children’s cries, began weeping bitterly for her children. She was inconsolable. Her children were in pain! Yes, they had sinned. Yes, they even deserved what was coming to them. But they were her children!
Yonah (Schwebel Scharf & Levine)
If there is one thing you’ve learned from our weekly posts, it’s that every Shabbos zemer has a lot more going on than what meets the eye. Hidden beneath the surface of each poetic allusion and mystical reference, one can discover layer upon profound layer of deeper meanings, each of seismic spiritual significance.
🕯 Rav Kalonymus Kalman Shapira zt’l, The Piaseczner Rebbe (1889-1943) – 4th of Cheshvan
While the man was bent and broken from the horrors he had witnessed and survived, in his mind remained the vibrant glow of his Rebbe’s countenance and the everlasting lesson he imparted; That the greatest thing you can do in the world is to do someone else a favor.